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Biocom Institute Gears Up for Ninth Annual EXPO DAY and Festival Week March 4-12

2/10/2017

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What do you get when you put science, technology, engineering, math, and kids in a major league baseball stadium? You get innovation! The team at the Biocom Institute Festival of Science & Engineering, San Diego, presented by Illumina Foundation, is preparing for its highly anticipated EXPO DAY before its traditional Festival Week. Now in its ninth year, EXPO DAY will occur Saturday, March 4 at PETCO Park with the festival following from March 5-12 at various locations throughout San Diego County. EXPO DAY is the official kick-off celebration of festival week and gives attendees a major glimpse of what’s to come at area businesses, schools, libraries and museums through Sunday, March 12.

One of the largest STEM festivals in the U.S., EXPO DAY and Festival Week features interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities and dynamic speakers to engage kids, adults and families in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. More than 70,000 are expected to participate.

A program of the Biocom Institute and presented by Illumina Foundation, the festival aims to encourage and engage kids in STEM, and to increase our region’s reputation of being a leader in the science industry. This festival, presented by Illumina Foundation, also helps continue to increase our region’s reputation of being a leader in the science industry. By hosting events and activities throughout the region, the festival demonstrates how science and engineering opportunities are in our own “backyard,” and are for science lovers of all ages. In fact, the STEM in Your Backyard series will now expand to East County, including the communities of Alpine and Lakeside. The series will also return to Barrio Logan, Chula Vista, and Vista.

“As STEM education continues to soar in San Diego, we feel it is important to continue our reach into the neighborhoods by providing family-friendly activities that not only excite the young learners, but also open their eyes to the possibilities right in their own backyards for schooling and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Sara Pagano, managing director, Biocom Institute Festival of Science & Engineering, San Diego.

“Additionally, we are excited to bring back the 21 and up series in partnership with Fleet Science Center as it was a huge success last year for our young professional crowd all the way through retired STEM enthusiasts, proving that the sparks of science fly at all ages,” said Pagano.

After EXPO DAY the fun continues with Festival Week (March 5-12) – eight days of learning, interaction and behind-the-scenes opportunities for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, adults and families to ignite their passion for STEM education. Many events are free and open to the public. Visit lovestemsd.org for festival week details.

In 2016, 65,000 kids, parents, scientists, educators and community members participated throughout the week, with 24,000 children, parents and STEM enthusiasts that attended EXPO Day at PETCO Park.

Sponsorships are available for the 2017 EXPO DAY and Festival Week. For more details, contact Sara Pagano, managing director, at spagano@lovestemsd.org.